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The Presence 5 for Racial Justice Framework for anti-racist communication with Black patients
Health Services Research
  • Cati Brown-Johnson, Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Joy Cox, Meta
  • Megha Shankar, Department of Medicine
  • Juliana Baratta, MIT Sloan School of Management
  • Gisselle De Leon, Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Raquel Garcia, Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Taylor Hollis, The University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • Mae Verano, Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Kelsey Henderson, Meharry Medical College
  • Mauranda Upchurch, Guidehouse LLP
  • Nadia Safaeinili, University of California, Berkeley
  • Jonathan Glazer Shaw, Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Robert J. Fortuna, University of Rochester Medical Center
  • Clyde Beverly, Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Meredith Walsh, Church Health Center
  • Carlie Stein Somerville, Primary Care at UAB Medicine Leeds
  • Marie Haverfield, San Jose State University
  • Sonoo Thadaney Israni, Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Abraham Verghese, Stanford University School of Medicine
Publication Date
12-1-2022
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.1111/1475-6773.14015
Abstract

Objective: To identify communication practices that clinicians can use to address racism faced by Black patients, build trusting relationships, and empower Black individuals in clinical care. Data Sources: Qualitative data (N = 112 participants, August 2020–March 2021) collected in partnership with clinics primarily serving Black patients in Leeds, AL; Memphis, TN; Oakland, CA; and Rochester, NY. Study Design: This multi-phased project was informed by human-centered design thinking and community-based participatory research principles. We mapped emergent communication and trust-building strategies to domains from the Presence 5 framework for fostering meaningful connection in clinical care. Data Collection Methods: Interviews and focus group discussions explored anti-racist communication and patient–clinician trust (n = 36 Black patients; n = 40 nonmedical professionals; and n = 24 clinicians of various races and ethnicities). The Presence 5 Virtual National Community Advisory Board guided analysis interpretation. Principal Findings: The emergent Presence 5 for Racial Justice (P5RJ) practices include: (1) Prepare with intention by reflecting on identity, bias, and power dynamics; and creating structures to address bias and structural determinants of health; (2) Listen intently and completely without interruption and listen deeply for the potential impact of anti-Black racism on patient health and interactions with health care; (3) Agree on what matters most by having explicit conversations about patient goals, treatment comfort and consent, and referral planning; (4) Connect with the patient's story, acknowledging socioeconomic factors influencing patient health and focusing on positive efforts; (5) Explore emotional cues by noticing and naming patient emotions, and considering how experiences with racism might influence emotions. Conclusion: P5RJ provides a framework with actionable communication practices to address pervasive racism experienced by Black patients. Effective implementation necessitates clinician self-reflection, personal commitment, and institutional support that offers time and resources to elicit a patient's story and to address patient needs.

Funding Number
6382
Funding Sponsor
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Keywords
  • African American,
  • Black,
  • communication,
  • community-based participatory research,
  • design thinking,
  • human-centered design,
  • patient care,
  • qualitative
Citation Information
Cati Brown-Johnson, Joy Cox, Megha Shankar, Juliana Baratta, et al.. "The Presence 5 for Racial Justice Framework for anti-racist communication with Black patients" Health Services Research Vol. 57 Iss. S2 (2022) p. 263 - 278
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/marie-haverfield/64/